Perhaps the reason why Simon is convinced Wendy really is a talking dog is because he ended up being HYPNOTIZED by another dog during auditions earlier this year.

Simon told TV Magazine: "That was a very strange sensation. Look, I don’t know whether it was the trainer or whether it was the dog, but it was the weirdest feeling. It’s all on tape.

"I do start yawning and feeling very light-headed. My last memory was the dog staring at me – and I love dogs – with this really weird look. Then the next thing, this girl is saying: “Five, four, three, two, one, wake up."

Amanda Holden added: "He looked into your soul, Simon. It was bizarre but also brilliant because we all renewed our contracts for next year. He wrote a cheque out for me, so I’ve paid off my mortgage."